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Lions to host Baird for homecoming

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Trying to snap a five-game losing streak – the worst start since the 1956 season – the Albany Lions will open district Friday with a homecoming bout against the visiting Baird Bears.

Kickoff at Robert Nail Stadium is set for 7:00 p.m.

Albany is coming off an open week that has allowed most of their wounds to heal after a brutal pre-district schedule against larger schools resulting in a 0-5 record.

The Bears (4-1) have picked up pre-district wins over Grape Creek, Irion County, Miles, and Roby, while losing only one game to Menard.

“Baird is playing really well right now, and they have a really good running back,” head coach Denney Faith said. “We are going to have to play sound defense and move the ball on offense.”

The Lions will be regaining the help of two senior starters, Payne Hebel and Cutter Edgar, who both have been recovering from injuries suffered early in the season.

“We will need to control the ball, meaning eliminating turnovers, as well as controlling the clock,” the coach said.

Faith said the Lions did a lot of healing and regrouping during the open week and have been preparing hard for the district opener.

“We obviously need to start district with a win,” he said. “We played a very challenging pre-district schedule that has prepared us for the district half of our schedule.”

The coach characterized Friday’s game as a turning point for the team.

“This will be a very big game in several ways,” Faith said. “This is a chance for the team to move forward and put into practice what we have learned so far this year.”

Another important aspect of the game involves homecoming.

“You always want to play well for the homecoming crowd, especially all the former players that come back to watch the game,” he said. “Albany has a lot of tradition and homecoming is a part of that.”

During the extra week off, the team spent time on conditioning.

“We had a good open week,” Faith said. “It gave us time to work on conditioning and staying in shape both in the weight room and doing conditioning drills on the field. We also worked on our timing quite a bit.”

The coach added that the team is excited to start the district race.

“The guys know that we need to start off on the right foot with a win this week,” he said. “Since there are only five district games, you can’t fail to perform well one week and still expect to win the district championship.”

Albany has won the last 11 district titles.

Competing in the new District 7-2A line-up this season are Albany, Cross Plains, Haskell, Roscoe Collegiate, Baird, and Hamlin. 

Roby is also included in the district but due to a lack of players, they were unable to field a varsity team and opted to withdraw for this season.